Paul came to Baramul Stud with a lifetime in horses. Baramul Stud owner Gerry Harvey also co-owns the Magic Millions’ auction house. The historic Stud in the WiddenValley stands some over 800 horses, including some of the best bloodstock in Australia. They are a major seller of top-quality yearlings and last year they were the top vendor at MMGC.
Warm, helpful, information and generally marvellous Thompson chats to The Impact about his MMGC2019 draft and their plans for the future.
Q: What can buyers expect from your 2019 MMGC draft?
A: They can expect a very wide variety of high profile horses, who will grow into precocious & fast 2YOs and then onto classic 3YOs.
Q: Which lots would you consider the highlights of your draft?
A: It’s very hard to highlight one or two horses. Our Snitzel colts and fillies are right at the top. And we have an I Am Invincible colt who is a really well put together colt who should be very interesting for the buyers.
Q: What would you say is the most exciting thing that’s currently happening at Baramul?
A: We have been doing things slightly differently for the last few years and that is exciting. Last year at the broodmare sale, we bought 2-3 top quality mares. We plan to keep adding these types of mares to our broodmare band, to improve the bloodstock quality. I am always interested in those kinds of mares.
Q: Do you think this is something you will continue to do at Baramul?
A: It depends on the market at the time. If it’s the right time, the owner gets a chance to get a return on a larger investment.
Q: Are there any other sales, where you would consider sending some of your yearlings during the sales’ season?
A: The Magic Millions’ Gold Coast sale is the very best sale in Australasia. All our very best horses are going to this sale. Some others may keep a couple of nice horses for other evens but our very best horses go to MMGC.
Q: Have you had a situation where yearlings have surprised you by outperforming expectations?
A: Those horses who are really good horses, are really nice big horses. They can all run. But in some cases, there are a lot of reasons which have hindered their careers. If there was a system to predict good ones, then there would be people plucking good horses.
Q: Have you always been involved with horses?
A: Yes, horses are a lifelong passion. I grew up around horses. My parents were involved in the pleasure horse industry. Once I decided to make a career with horses about 22 years ago, the only way I was going to make any money was to get involved with thoroughbreds. At the time I had some very good mentors. My parents still have some stock horses to date.
Q: And finally, how do you think technology has helped develop the industry?
A: Communications is where technology has made a huge difference. Today people can easily look at pedigrees. The business has become very transparent. Even if a horse runs a trial, people come to know immediately.
Published in The Impact 2 Issue, 2 Vol
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